Sat Jan 17 18:59:38 UTC 2026: # Chennai Grapples with Waste Management Surge Following Pongal Celebrations

The Story:
Following the Kaanum Pongal celebrations on Saturday, January 17, 2026, Chennai’s Marina Beach and surrounding areas faced a significant surge in solid waste. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) reported removing a total of 160.83 tonnes of waste from beaches between January 14 and January 16. Marina Beach alone accounted for 116.17 tonnes of this waste. Concurrently, the city conducted a pre-festival waste collection drive for Bhogi, collecting 154.17 tonnes of unused materials between January 12 and 14.

Key Points:
* 160.83 tonnes of solid waste were removed from Chennai beaches between January 14 and January 16 due to Pongal festivities.
* Marina Beach recorded the highest waste volume at 116.17 tonnes.
* Prior to Pongal, 154.17 tonnes of unused materials were collected for Bhogi to prevent open burning.
* Tiruvottiyur recorded the highest collection of unused materials at 25.43 tonnes during the Bhogi drive.
* A weekly bulk waste collection service has collected 707.50 tonnes of waste since October 11, 2025.
* Waste collected on January 17, 2026, weighing 46.94 tonnes, was sent to the Kodungaiyur incineration facility.

Key Takeaways:

  • Festivals like Pongal place a significant strain on Chennai’s waste management infrastructure.
  • The GCC is actively implementing waste collection and disposal strategies, including pre-festival drives and weekly bulk waste collection.
  • Public cooperation in waste disposal is crucial to maintain cleanliness and reduce environmental pollution on beaches.
  • The “Namma Chennai” mobile application, along with phone and WhatsApp options, facilitates resident participation in bulk waste collection.

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